An Interview With Sun On Fire
A brand-new single release from Sun On Fire delivers an honest approach, bringing a lot of personality along with it, all in the form of a singer-songwriter and folk-style track with a contemporary feel and a unique build that lends it an almost cinematic aesthetic.
"Broken" is a track that absolutely came from some real place. You can hear that in the song itself, between the vocal performance and the lyrics, you know it is authentic. This only adds to that personality I mentioned earlier and gets you pulled deeper into the track.
As the song unfolds, you begin to get a sense of where it all comes from. It gives you a sense of heartbreak, loss, and some of the inner thoughts and struggles that go along with that.
Now, a lot of us have been through this kind of thing, but we also don't know exactly how to articulate our feelings like this into words, let alone words and music, so when we hear a song like this, it hits us a certain way.
This is a track that is not just relatable but vulnerable for the artist. Perhaps it was even cathartic for him to write and release.
It certainly feels that way. The track is painted with detailed lyrics, and a lot of that inner thought comes spilling out for all, so again, which I found to be one of the most beautiful things about the song itself.
This is an acoustic track that is again based in folk and singer-songwriter, but it does have a pop overcoat to it and a certain vibrancy as well.
All those acoustic and singer-songwriter, the rhythm sort of bounces a little bit. So, you can hear a lot of the pop sensibility coming through in the performance and the rhythm, especially.
As you get deeper into the track, you begin to hear heavy percussion and synth pads that build on the depth of the song, making things feel almost distanced, and that, in turn, really helps the cinematic backbone come through.
It's the emotion that reaches out and grabs you. It's a very emotional track and again, coming from a place of honesty and truth, so you know you're getting something genuine out of it.
This is a track that connected with me simply because I understood exactly where he was coming from, and he was able to lyrically portray everything so clearly.
Like I mentioned before, this is very relatable for a lot of people. I feel like the performance of the entire thing is really what wraps itself around you and keeps you exactly where it wants to.
Upon listening to this track, I took a little bit of a deep dive into the artist's back catalog and came across a track called "California", which was much more of a bright pop-rock-based single, still giving so much personality but in a different tonality.
I love this because it had such a different vibe, but showcased how diverse the artist can be in terms of writing songs and taking different directions with his music.
This track featured some outstanding guitar work, including some lead stuff that was amazing and fit the song perfectly. Even the guitar tone on this track had a certain vibrancy to it that made the whole song come through vivacious and sort of freeing, in a sense.
Another track released this year called "Happy" also breeds a sort of pop-rock approach, but blends in classic and indie rock along with a great rhythm that you can really get into. This one features some great vocal harmonies that had a thickness to everything, but still comes through with the same level of brightness as some of the other tracks.
These songs all speak volumes for the artist and how he can put together songs in different ways, pulling from different parts of life experience to do so, and also showcase a lot of different things he's inspired by as an artist.
I would suggest listening to all of these tracks, but starting with "Broken", as it is the most recent, and it's a great introduction to the softer and more personal side of the artist himself.
He surely is someone who puts pieces of himself in his music, and this track is a perfect example of exactly that.
Now, after listening to everything, I knew I wanted to chat with the man behind the project to find out where it all actually came from, especially "Broken".
So, while you listen to this track and some of the others, read through our interview with the artist below to find out more.
TSWS: Let's talk about "Broken"! This track felt pretty personal and hit a perfectly stripped down approach! Where did this track come from?
Yeah, it’s definitely personal.
I used to host an event at my place where anyone can come and share whatever ideas they are working on, we’d talk through them, what they are learning, where they may be stuck, and engage in collaborative feedback. People brought all kinds of projects, from creative writing to starting online businesses. It was really great.
I presented my music at these events. One night, I was presenting a song called “Starry Night”, which is an oldie of mine I’ve been wanting to redo. A friend and x-band mate was in attendance that night. He said, “yeah, I like that one, but that’s not my favorite one of your oldies. Actually, it’s this one.” I was immediately inspired. I remembered how to play the music. It just needed a new melody and lyrics.
At the time, I was still processing my last relationship and reflecting on my love life. “Broken” was the result. It was a feeling I hadn’t been able to admit and express until now.
TSWS: I'm hearing a few different approaches to your songs! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
My influences have a wide range. Here are just a few in alphabetical order
1. A Perfect Circle
2. Bruno Mars
3. Chopin
4. Chris Cornell
5. Foo Fighters
6. Ibrahim Maalouf
7. Incubus
8. Jeff Buckley
9. John Williams
10. Led Zeppelin
11. Louis Armstrong
12. Miles Davis
13. Nine Inch Nails
14. Paco De Lucia
15. Portishead
16. Rage Against The Machine
17. Ray Charles
18. Stevie Wonder
18. Tool
TSWS: Did you record these at a home setup, or at a big studio?
The pre-production was done at my producer’s home studio. The tracking was done at a small studio in Burbank, CA. The mix was done at a studio in NYC. The mastering was done in upstate, NYC.
TSWS: Do you ever collaborate with others?
I do! Anytime I work with someone, I consider that a collaboration. I think the distinction is whose vision is being executed. I’ve worked in all capacities. As the primary vision owner, or supporting someone else's vision comes to life, or where we come together for a shared vision. It’s nice to work in all these capacities because there is so much to learn by doing so. Each requires a mindset and approach to the art. It all enables all kinds of creative opportunities. It’s a lot of fun.
TSWS: How did this all start for you as an artist? When did you fall in love with music?
I fell in love with music the way a satellite falls into orbit—suddenly, powerfully, and it became my axis.
The short answer is: 1995, Christmas Eve, at the Grasshoppers' house.
I grew up with music constantly playing in the house, everything from Arabic tunes to my dad’s beloved Beatles. But it wasn't mine. It was all organized noise to me.
Then, one fateful Christmas, my childhood best friend, got a guitar under the tree. He opened that case and played “Come As You Are” by Nirvana. That was the first time I heard music played live, not out of a speaker, and my mind was absolutely blown. I was hooked on rock 'n' roll’s—the minor chords, the haunting tones, the drama. I begged my parents for a guitar, and after months of perfect grades, I got my precious. Music was my savior. It became the positive, creative outlet and voice for a hyper, shy kid who felt misunderstood and alone.
The love of music was always there, but the artist in me was truly forged in fire.
In high school, I formed my first band, and that was great, but the journey to being a solo artist was brutal and nonsensical at times. My ambition was always competing with my environment. I chased the dream from D.C. to New York City, where I arrived with nothing and committed to invest in myself. I was a hustler, balancing a career in tech—starting as a Software Engineer and evolving into a Technical Program Manager—with touring, recording, and endless outreach.
It took hitting rock bottom—being diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin's Lymphoma—for the focus to crystalize. Getting sick forced me to stop running from myself and choose what I wanted the rest of my life to look like. I realized the battle was 80% mental and 20% physical.
Overcoming that required a shift from being attached to outcomes to being committed to a vision. It led me to embrace life with a high-energy conviction, focusing on what brings joy and building a better version of myself. That's the core of my art now: the result of taking those lifelong passions and applying the structured discipline I honed in my tech career. It’s about not resisting change and always pushing through.
That's how it started: a blend of a teenage epiphany, a relentless work ethic, and a life-threatening wake-up call.
TSWS: Are you performing live right now?
I am looking for live gigs now. Bookers, hit me up!
TSWS: Now that this is out, what's next for you?
What’s next is my next single, “Starry Night” and an EP with bonus instrumental tracks. Another style I enjoy writing in. This next set of releases is a tribute to my musician and songwriter roots. This is the style of music I started writing in. It’s been a nostalgic journey writing in this style again.
TSWS: Who's in your headphones right now?
I’ve been listening to Portishead as of late. I gravitate to that haunting sound during this time of year. I’ve also been letting the soft classical piano playlists take off on Youtube Music. That’s what relaxed me at night. I am excited for the next Puscifer album coming out soon! I’m open to any suggestions or recommendations you or your readers have for me.
TSWS: What would you tell people they can expect on this release?
Expect soulful acoustic singer songwriter vibes. The kind of stuff you hear close to the heart.
TSWS: Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music?
I am eternally grateful for every single person who has ever supported me. I am grateful for anyone who understands this music. That’s understanding me. Thank you for everything!
At the end of the day, I do this because I want to connect. And knowing that my music connects with someone out there means that we’re not alone. We’re all in this together. So whatever you’ve got going on, whatever you’re going through, you got this. It’s not going to kill you. You may just have to breathe a little harder. Remember, you can breathe through anything. Go you!
